The IBF has mandated that British heavyweight Moses Itauma enter negotiations with Cuban contender Frank Sanchez for the vacant IBF heavyweight title. Itauma, ranked number three, must reach an agreement with the number one Sanchez by July 29. This follows Oleksandr Usyk's recent decision to relinquish his IBF, WBA 'super' and WBC belts, creating the title opportunity.

Sanchez currently sits atop the IBF heavyweight rankings, making him the mandatory challenger for any vacant title fight. The July 29 deadline puts pressure on both camps to finalize terms quickly. Itauma, just 21, faces a career-defining moment as he plots his path toward championship contention in the loaded heavyweight division.

Itauma remains scheduled to fight Croatia's Filip Hrgovic at London's O2 Arena on August 29, which he has called his toughest test yet. However, the title shot against Sanchez could take precedence, potentially forcing him to withdraw from the Hrgovic bout. Itauma impressed in March with a fifth-round stoppage victory over Jermaine Franklin in Manchester.

Meanwhile, the WBC has already moved to crown Agit Kabayel as their new champion after Usyk vacated that belt. Usyk, the two-time undisputed champion, is now free to pursue any opponent after being granted an exemption to fight Rico Verhoeven in May instead of his mandatory challenger.